Should I Just Pay My Traffic Ticket in Missouri?
You got a speeding ticket. It is sitting on your kitchen counter. The fine is not that much. You are thinking about just paying it and moving on with your life. Before you do, there is something important you need to understand: paying a traffic ticket in Missouri is the same as pleading guilty.
That guilty plea goes on your driving record, adds points to your license, and can trigger consequences that far outweigh the cost of the fine itself.
What Happens When You Pay the Ticket
• Points are added to your Missouri driving record (the number depends on the violation)
• Your auto insurance rates are likely to increase, sometimes significantly, for three to five years
• If you accumulate 8 or more points in 18 months, your license will be suspended
• The conviction stays on your driving record for years
• CDL holders face even harsher consequences, including potential disqualification from commercial driving
Missouri’s Point System
Missouri assigns points to traffic violations. Speeding 6–10 mph over the limit is 2 points. Speeding 11–19 over is 2 points. Speeding 20–25 over is 4 points. Careless and imprudent driving is 2 points. Running a red light is 2 points. The points add up quickly, and at 8 points in 18 months, your license is suspended for 30 days (first offense), 60 days (second), or 90 days (third).
What a Lawyer Can Do Instead
In the vast majority of Missouri traffic cases, an attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to amend the ticket to a non-moving violation. A non-moving violation carries no points, does not go on your driving record, and does not affect your insurance. You typically pay a slightly higher fine, but the long-term savings on insurance alone make it worthwhile.
In most cases, your attorney can handle the entire process without you ever stepping foot in court. You do not need to take time off work or sit in a courtroom for hours.
When It Really Matters
If you already have points on your license, are a CDL holder, have a pending license suspension, or are on probation, a traffic ticket is not a minor inconvenience — it is a serious legal matter. One more conviction could push you over the threshold for suspension or cost you your commercial driving career.
Before you pay that ticket, call Lee Law Firm at (314) 708-1720 for a free consultation. We handle traffic tickets throughout the St. Louis metro area.